Checking Out "The Comeback Kids"

Over the past couple months I've been in the habit of regularly checking Topps.com for new limited edition releases - and even more regularly, have found myself buying their latest offering!  While browsing through the online store last week I came across a collection of oversized 1980 Topps cards which were being sold in a huge, baby-blue wax pack.  With a $9.99 price tag I couldn't help but fulfill my curiosity!

The 1980 Phillies Wax Pack set includes five, 8.5"x11.5" 1980 Topps cards from the Phillies team set.  Players included are: Mike Schmidt, Dick Ruthven, Greg Luzinski, Bake McBride and Tug McGraw.   With only 75 sets created, it's worth adding to your collection.  Here's a quick rundown of what to expect (should you decide to buy):

Pros:

• Good selection of players.  True to their series theme, Topps included both superstars (Schmidt, Luzinski and McGraw) and unsung heroes (McBride, Ruthven).  
• Size.  The cards would great to get autographed.
• Packaging.  The classic wax-pack wrapper with team logo was a nice touch.

Cons:

• Image quality.  I knew these were enlarged card images, but was surprised to see they are exactly that - enlarged card images.  As a result, the pictures lack clarity and could have been greatly improved by leveraging the negatives to "recreate" the card.

Buy the set here

Filed 'E' for Error - 2013 Topps Kyle Kendrick Error Card

It's unusual that Kyle Kendrick would spark the fire of controversy.  I mean, this guy is really vanilla... But, as unlikely as it would seem, after a rare variation of his 2013 Topps Series I card was confirmed by the sports card giant earlier this week, he has found himself in the middle of the latest error card dustup.

For most collectors, Kendrick's # 71 card was just another in the Phillies team set.  Much like his career there was really nothing good or bad to say about it - it was simply "a card".  That was until a blog post on Beckett.com this week brought to light a rare variation of the card.  The "error", found only in 2013 Topps Factory sets, features an enlarged image of the original card graphic (pictured above),   

In the Beckett post, Topps Director of Product Development Clay Luraschi classified it as, "an extremely rare error card" which was "found very early in the printing, removed and corrected."  He does stop short of saying HOW early in printing it was identified, but simply acknowledging its existence and classifying it as "rare" may have significant impact on it's overall value.  A scan of eBay listings show sales consistently in the $50-75 range.

Topps' well documented history of error/variation cards will surely result in raised suspicions.  But, I for one, am leaning toward it being a legitimate mistake.  It seems unlikely they would choose Kendrick for this flub.  C'mon, it's Kyle Kendrick...

Reference: Beckett News 3.3.14

The Case of the Right-Handed Daulton: SOLVED

Darren Daulton, 1989 Donruss #549

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a public signing by former Phillies catcher, Darren Daulton at VSM Sports Card Outlet in Lancaster.  While there I had a few minutes to ask Dutch a question I had been wanting to ask since 1989: Why did you pose right-handed in your 1989 Donruss card (pictured left)?  

He responded immediately by laughing - saying he had never been asked about it, but remembered the exact moment it happened.  According to Daulton, a photographer came up to him right before the game and asked him to pose for a quick picture.  Without thinking he lifted the bat he was holding and stood in a right-handed batter stance.  Snap!  The picture was taken and the photographer was on his way.

Dutch said as soon as the guy started to walk away, he realized what had happened and told him, "I don't bat right-handed!"  The photographer responded by assuring him the slip was not a big deal.  Lo and behold, the next year that photo ended up in the Donruss set.  He has a good attitude about it - calling it a one of a kind: "My only time batting right-handed"...